Please exercise your authority to support all actions promoting the preservation of our natural resources and the protection of our environment.

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Encouraging your support on the above bills

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans

HB523 Research or experimentation of any kind should be prohibited with all animals especially dogs and cats

Comments Document

SUPPORT HB 49 Reasons to Support HB 49: • The intent of the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program is to identify, designate and help protect rivers and streams that possess outstanding scenic, recreational, historic, and natural characteristics of statewide significance for future generations. • One of the program’s strengths is the partnership forged among citizens, local governments, and the state. This partnership is initiated by the locality and runs from the evaluation phase through and after the designation process. • A segment of the Middle James River was designated in 2020 as a Virginia Scenic River. This bill would increase the designation distance from 19 miles to approximately 64 miles.

With ever-expanding development along the banks of our rivers, it is vitally important that we do everything we can to protect these precious parts of our commonwealth for the restorative powers they provide its citizens. The intent of the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program is to identify, designate and help protect rivers and streams that possess outstanding scenic, recreational, historic, and natural characteristics of statewide significance for future generations. One of the program’s strengths is the partnership forged among citizens, local governments, and the state. This partnership is initiated by the locality and runs from the evaluation phase through and after the designation process. A segment of the Middle James River was designated in 2020 as a Virginia Scenic River. This bill would increase the designation distance from 19 miles to approximately 64 miles, an addition worthy of approval.

Please stop this cruelty

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop this heinous act.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Good Afternoon, I am submitting my support of the above items. I strongly feel that we need to put more time and planning on what we are doing to our animals, that are due the same respect as we all inhabits of our planet, and out planet. We only have one earth and we have not been responsible on how we treated her.

Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans

Protection of Land, Water, Air, Soil and all animals is up to us and for future generations a must.

Please email the above mentioned bills to me.

I support HB 1029 and 311, and 323. I oppose HB 189. I have concerns about HB 314 and 491 - namely, why does being "commercially significant" exempt a non-native plant from being deemed a noxious weed? I am also concerned about HB 351. I agree that encouraging motorists to choose electric vehicles is a worthy goal, but I am concerned about the emphasis on simply transitioning to electric cars when cars and the infrastructure they require, well beyond just gasoline, are themselves the problem. It isn't just about emissions, it's about the asphalt - impervious surface that aggravates flooding and heating - required to park a car regardless of how "clean" it is. It's about the unsustainable land use patterns that even clean cars necessitate. Investing in rail, sidewalks, bike paths, and diverse zoning is a far better use of resources than simply putting more electric vehicle charging stations.

Please stop this cruelty

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop this heinous act.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans

Though the oyster industry is important and requires respect, Virginia’s waters belong to everybody. So it is crucial to achieve a sensible, fair balance between oyster cages that obstruct navigation, on one hand, and, on the other, the needs of other commercial users of the water as well as recreational users. Steven T. Corneliussen

I do not have any specific comments but am here to answer any questions on behalf of the Marine Resources Commission.

I am stating my opposition to passage of HB 189 for the following reasons: Language "allowing aquaculture by any legal means" is too broad a statement. It leave open the potential for giving away the citizens' use of VA waterways to the interests and benefit of large private enterprises with unfettered ability to construct over-the-water cages which restrict such activities as recreational uses that are an important part of Virginia's coastline. More public input needs to be done before such a sweeping open-ended bill is enacted into law. I urge you NOT to the approve this bill in its present form.

Honorable Representatives, My name is Tom Powers. I am a recreational boater, fisherman and crabber. I serve on a number of VMRC advisory Committees and was involved with some of the aquaculture regulations and code changes that were developed in the early 2000’s. I have no fundamental problem with well regulated aquaculture operations. First there are probably implications relating to city and county zoning regulations relating to businesses in residential districts that may be negatively impacted by this legislation. I am not addressing that at this point in time. I am concerned that were this legislation enacted, that the Marine Resources Commission doing any of the items listed below will lead to a lawsuit the Judge would interpret this code section to mean that if it is legal for one person that it should be legal for everyone. For example, the Judge could direct the Commission to allow by right the ability to use floating cages above any leased bottom because the have done so in a particular instance. To that end I respectively request that the patron clarify what I believe is there intent and modify the wording of the change from “including the right to propagate shellfish by whatever legal means necessary.” “this, notwithstanding regulations in 4VAC-20 in Seq, shall include the right to propagate shellfish by whatever legal means necessary" This explicitly clarify that the Commission has the ability to continue to manage the tidal habitats in Virginia. If such a change can not be made than I do not support passage of this bill. Specific examples of items which I believe are will be maintained by such a change are: (a) The legislation still allows the Commission to reject or restrict the areas when issuing a permit application under regulation 4VAC-20-1130 General Permit #4 for Temporary Protective Enclosures for Shellfish which was put in place in response to State Code Section 28.2-603.1. Temporary enclosures on leased ground. (b) The legislation still allows the Commission to reject or restrict the areas for enclosures when issuing a habitat permit permit for something like floating cage aquaculture. (c) The legislation still allows the Commission to, for example, control where someone puts 12" cages because they impede navigation to someones pier or channel which is allowed under 4VAC-20-335 Pertaining to On-Bottom Shellfish Aquaculture Activities which was on the books before 28.2-603 was enacted. Further I do not understand how it can exist as it seems to be contrary to 28.2-603 as 28.2-603 does not have any exemptions for enclosures less than 12" tall and it has more restrictions, public notice notifications, etc. that are required prior to changing a on bottom operation (no enclosures) to a cage on bottom operation. (d) Where the term "legal means necessary" does not mean that, for example, because the Commission issued a habitat permit for floating enclosures or enclosures suspended from cables, that a judge decides that this is a legal means (because someone was allowed to do it by VMRC) and now, because of this law, it is allowed by right. (e) The legislation still allows the Commission to change what are a legal activities or permit requirements for shellfish aquaculture on leased ground in the future.

I urge the committee to vote against House Bill 189 for the following reasons: 1) This legislation will impede the Virginia Marine Resources Commission’s ability to properly regulate the shellfish aquaculture industry. VMRC may wish to change aquaculture permitting requirements impacting specific aquaculture operations due to a change in environmental conditions (e.g. SAV growth), boat navigation needs or for any unforeseen reason. This legislation would prevent VMRC from enforcing these permitting changes. 2) The Commonwealth should not provide the same irrevocable legal right to an aquaculture operation that it extends to oyster ground leasing. Oyster ground leasing simply gives the owner the right to work the water bottom which does not obstruct the public from using that portion of the water for boating, fishing, crabbing, etc. An aquaculture operation places cages and other structures in the waterway. As such, the aquaculture operator essentially takes ownership of that portion of the water which precludes the public from using it. For this reason, aquaculture operators need to be held to a higher standard than the right bestowed on an owner of an oyster bottom lease. 3) It has been suggested that this legislation is intended to replicate the Right to Farm Act for shellfish aquaculture. Shellfish aquaculture is very different than agricultural farming. With farming, the farmer either owns the land they use or rents it from another landowner, and that other landowner would have control of certain issues via the specific lease agreement between the owner and farmer. The landowner has the ability to terminate the lease if desired. In the case of aquaculture, the Commonwealth (all Virginia citizens) owns the river bottom and water above. The Commonwealth should not provide aquaculture operators with a perpetual right to obstruct it with floats and cages. Please reject HB 189. C. Burke King

I support HB 1029 and 311, and 323. I oppose HB 189. I have concerns about HB 314 and 491 - namely, why does being "commercially significant" exempt a non-native plant from being deemed a noxious weed? I am also concerned about HB 351. I agree that encouraging motorists to choose electric vehicles is a worthy goal, but I am concerned about the emphasis on simply transitioning to electric cars when cars and the infrastructure they require, well beyond just gasoline, are themselves the problem. It isn't just about emissions, it's about the asphalt - impervious surface that aggravates flooding and heating - required to park a car regardless of how "clean" it is. It's about the unsustainable land use patterns that even clean cars necessitate. Investing in rail, sidewalks, bike paths, and diverse zoning is a far better use of resources than simply putting more electric vehicle charging stations.

Please stop this cruelty

Comments Document

SUPPORT HB 323 ___________________________________________________ This position was taken by Virginia Conservation Network (VCN)’s Legislative Committee and Board of Directors and is supported by Virginia’s conservation community. Reasons to support HB 323: • Supporting local farms and value-adding food and agriculture businesses across Virginia means more access to local food, stronger local economies and communities, and resilience against disruptions to food supply chains, as has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fact sheet sent as attachment. • There was broad bipartisan support to establish the grant program; authorizing legislation HB 2068 passed unanimously out of the House and Senate in the 2021 General Assembly session. • The bill is already having positive impact. In the inaugural round in 2021, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the administering agency, awarded eight projects totaling $160,000 for farmers market improvements and equipment for meat processing, goat dairies, community canneries, and produce aggregation. • The larger cap will expand program scope and impact and support more significant investments. Overview: HB 232 increases from $25,000 to $50,000 the cap amount of a grant that may be made to a political subdivision for projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. HB 2068 of the 2021 General Assembly established the Local Food and Farming Infrastructure Grant Program and authorized the awarding of grants to political subdivisions from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund in amounts up to $25,000 to support infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable farming for farmers markets; businesses or organizations that manage the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of food products from local and regional producers and locally owned processing facilities. VDACS is implementing the Local Food and Farming Instructure Grant Program as Infrastructure Grants under the AFID program.

508 keep our history alive both the good and bad. We, our children need to be taught the truth about US history 479 removal of large and small damns improves the quality of waterways 323 local and sustainable farms are the key to the future of successful farming. Thomas Jefferson believed this 255 dogs and cats should never be used for inhumane research 206 small renewal energy projects should have been implemented decades ago. We are so behind many countries in preserving our natural resources and increasing and implementing renewable energy sources 140 African American gravesites when discovered should be restored and protected as should all of them 1330 Companion animals should be allowed in more place’s especially on public transportation like Amtrak 1301 clean energy= clean air, water, soil, food and this is a human right 1273 I would like to see hunting bears, deer, raccoons, rabbits, coyote, bobcat foxes completely eliminated. They only terrorize wildlife, there is no “sport” in that. 1247 STOP killing contests of any wildlife!!! This is barbaric 1228 Water quality needs to be of the highest standard. It’s a God-given right 1224 if storm water is managed properly we could avoid massive pollution to our rivers and streams , Bays and Oceans

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans

HB523 Research or experimentation of any kind should be prohibited with all animals especially dogs and cats

Please email the above mentioned bills to me.

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

Protect our wildlife and water resources. Restrict hunting on sundays. No snares or trapping. No animals gor research.

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Please exercise your authority to support all actions promoting the preservation of our natural resources and the protection of our environment.

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans

Please email the above mentioned bills to me.

Good morning, Rushmere Community Development Corporation, a 501 C 3 nonprofit organization, is in support of HB809 and want to thank Delegate Price in sponsoring this. Some of the African American cemeteries located in Isle of Wight, Surry, and Prince George Counties that are in need of repair, maintenance, and preservation include the remains of free and enslaved African Americans born before 1900 such as those veterans who served in the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, the housekeeper of former President John Tyler in the Town of Claremont and the segregated Slave cemetery at Claremont Manor, Trailblazers of the Temperance Institute at Cabin Point and Burrowsville, Surry County's first African American Delegate Goodman Brown, and Reverend Thomas Henry Poole at Bacon's Castle, Robert Claggett, Waterman, at First Gravel Hill whose death in the James River, led his widow Laura Hughes to donate land the Federal Government and Commonwealth of Virginia to make the Historic Tyler's Beach Free Harbor of Refuge at Burwell Bay in Rushmere. Rushmere Community Development Corporation is committed to working with the Department of Historic Resources, local churches, caretakers, private citizens, trustees, towns, and other community stakeholders on the Surry side of the James River who desire to maintain, repair, restore, and safeguard the rich history that is archived throughout these cemeteries. Please approve HB809. Thank you for your consideration.

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

Protect Virginia's environment from Republiklans

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop animal cruelty!

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.

I support the Humane Society of the United States' positions pertaining to your particular bill(s). I do believe HSUS adheres to and promotes the highest standards of integrity in the issues of animal issues, the environment, human concerns, et. al. I hope you can vote with that perspective in mind.

Please stop animal cruelty!

pass all of the laws above

The greatness of a nation and its MORAL PROGRESS can be judged by the way it treats its animals, its wilderness and its most vulnerable inhabitants.